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Aadhaar Card (Unique Identification Number)
What It Is:
Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique random identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to residents of India based on their demographic data and biometric records (ten fingerprints, two iris scans, and photograph).
Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs), designated Post Offices, nationalized Bank branches, and authorized Common Service Centers (CSCs).
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Ministry of Electronics & IT, Government of India
myAadhaar Portal (UIDAI)
Official Purpose & Who Generally Needs It
Universal proof of identity and address across India, essential for direct benefit transfers (DBT), government welfare subsidies, banking KYC compliance, mobile SIM verification, and PAN-Aadhaar linkage.
- All Indian citizens residing in India
- Non-citizen foreign residents who have resided in India for 182 days or more in the preceding 12 months
- Minors via Baal Aadhaar (under 5 years, with mandatory biometric updates required at ages 5 and 15)
Common Supporting Documents Required
General statutory proofs accepted across state and central application gateways.
- Passport
- PAN Card
- Voter ID Card (EPIC)
- Driving Licence
- Ration Card with photo
- Government photo ID card
- Electricity bill (not older than 3 months)
- Water bill
- Bank passbook/statement with photo
- Registered rent agreement
- Post Office account statement
- Birth certificate issued by Municipal Corporation/Registrar
- Passport
- SSLC / Matriculation Certificate
- Mark sheet issued by recognized government board
General Application & Issuance Process
Standard operational workflow for obtaining Aadhaar Card (Unique Identification Number) via designated channels.
Book Appointment or Visit Enrolment Centre
Book an appointment online via the myAadhaar portal or walk into an authorized Aadhaar Seva Kendra, post office, or bank branch.
Form Submission & Document Verification
Submit the standard enrolment or update form along with original Proof of Identity, Address, and Date of Birth documents for in-person verification.
Biometric Data Capture
The operator captures facial photograph, ten fingerprints, and two iris scans into the secure CIDR database.
Acknowledgement Slip & CIDR Processing
Receive an Enrolment Slip with a 28-digit Enrolment ID (EID) to track generation status online.
Generation & Card Delivery
Once generated, e-Aadhaar can be downloaded instantly from the portal; a physical card or PVC card is dispatched by post.
Related Public Online Services
Related Government Departments & Ministries
All DepartmentsUnique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)
UIDAI is a statutory authority established under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, responsible for issuing unique 12-digit Aadhaar identification numbers and managing authentication infrastructure.
View Department Profile →MinistriesMinistry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
MeitY is responsible for IT policy, the development of the electronics industry, e-governance infrastructure, national cybersecurity, and the Digital India national campaign.
View Department Profile →Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Clarifications
Q: Is Aadhaar card proof of Indian citizenship?
No. Under Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act 2016, the Aadhaar number is solely proof of identity and residence, not proof of Indian citizenship or domicile.
Q: Can I update my address in Aadhaar online?
Yes. Address updates can be performed online through the myAadhaar portal using valid Proof of Address documents or through Head of Family (HoF) consent.
Q: Is e-Aadhaar equally valid as the physical printed PVC card?
Yes. Downloaded e-Aadhaar printed on normal paper or stored digitally in DigiLocker is legally valid and recognized on par with physical Aadhaar cards under Section 4(3) of the Aadhaar Act.